Ladder



Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITI-:D STATI-:s

PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

The present invention relates particularly to that type of ladders commonly used in orchards for picking fruit and supported in an upright position by means of a leg hingedly mounted thereon adjacent the upper end.

Ladders of the type referred to are subjected to hard, and sometimes rough usage, and the problem here involved is to provide a ladder that will have the requisite rigidity, strength, and durability.

It is, therefore, one object ofthe present invention to provide a ladder of the character indicated wherein the head step and stiles are so joined and secured as to maintain their rigid relationship for an exceptionally long period of time.

It is another object to provide a structure of the character indicated that will effectually prevent splitting or cracking of the upper ends of the stiles and the ends of the head step.

It is also an object of the invention to provide means for mounting the leg upon the ladder in such a manner as to effectually prevent side sway, and to quickly and easily take up such lateral movement if and when it makes its appearance.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a ladder-head structure that will be economical to manufactureand assemble, that consists of few parts, that will be strong and durable, and highly eicient in its practical application.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a ladder embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the head brace by means of which the leg is mounted on the stiles.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the head plate and strap, with a part broken away.

In the particular embodiment of the invention herein disclosed I show at I-I the two ladder stiles, and at 2 the head step mounted thereon in the usual position.

In securing the head step to the stiles I provide two head plates indicated generally at 3-3, each. plate being formed in the following manner.

The plate is formed of sheet metal and has a part 4 to seat upon the outer side of the stile with a flange 5 bent to engage the rear edge of the stile. The plate is again bent to engage the front edge of the stile as at 6, and again to engage the inner side of the stile as at 1. This last named portion I extends beyond the rear' portion of side 'I is turned inwardly to form a flange 9 to seat against the bottom surface of the head step.'

It may be seen from the foregoing that the plate 3 is formed to wrap completely around the upper end of the stile, to which it is secured by -means o-f a bolt I0 passing through the stile and holes Il in the plate, and that the flange 9 provides a means whereby the head step may be securely held in a iixed position on the stile.

At I2 is shown a metal strap disposed to extend across the top of the head step as at I3, thence downwardly over the front and rear edges of the step as at I4 and I5, and thence inwardly a distance as at I6 and II. 'I'his strap is positioned so that it wraps around the step over the flange 9 as shown, permitting bolts I8-I9 toA pass through the top portion of the strap I3, through the step 2, then through the llange 9, and finally through the end portions IG-I'I of the strap. By means of this construction the strap I2 cooperates with the plate 3 to form a solid and substantial bond between the stile head and head step, and to secure them against splitting. The formation of the plate 3 and the strap I2, and the method of their assembly, secures the desired results with only three bolts being used.

The leg 2U is mounted upon the ladder head in the following manner. A head iron 2| is mounted at its center upon the front surface of the top end of the leg 2D by means of abolt 22. Each side of the iron 2| is then bent back to seat against the side of the leg as at 23, then twisted as at 24 and bent as at 25 to form a brace portion 26 extending angularly downwardly and inwardly into engagement with the side of the leg as at 21.

I n the foregoing description the reference numerals are applied to the plate, strap and head iron forming one side of the structure, and corresponding parts forming the other side are indicated by similar numerals followed by the letter a.

In mounting the head iron 2l on the leg the portions 21-2'Ia are secured by means of a bolt 28, and in mounting the head iron on the plates 3--3a a hinge bolt 29 is passed through the ears 8 and through the upper ends of the brace portions 26 of the viron adjacent the twist 25.

The construction and method of assembly of the head iron is an important feature of the invention because by forming the iron in the manner described it functions as a clamp upon the top end of theleg. It is clear that any `side 5s sway of the leg would tend to split the top end where the bolt passes through, but this is counteracted by the clamping effect of the iron at 23--23a which is applied by tightening nut 30 on the bolt 29.

'I'he whole head structure is further supported and strengthened by means of braces as 3| secured to the stiles as at 32 and engaging the bolt 29.

It is to be understood, of course, that While I have herein shown and described but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes in form, construction, and method of assembly and operation may be made within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In a ladder of the character described, a head iron to be mounted on the ladder leg and hingedly associated with the Stiles comprising, a member having its central portion bent to engage three sides of the leg at its upper end, and fastening means therefor, each side portion of the member being twisted and extended laterally and then bent and extended downwardly at an angle to form a brace seated upon the leg, means for fastening the two brace ends fixedly to the leg, each side portion being provided with means adjacent the last named bend for swingably engaging a supporting member.

ROBERT W. PULVER. 

